What to Expect From Acupuncture

There’s no doubt about it. Acupuncture clinics can help you deal with your chronic pain, and help you feel stronger. In a review of 29 studies, acupuncture was found to decrease pain by 50%. What’s more, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorses the ancient practice for at least two dozen conditions.

Yet many are still unawares of what acupuncture is, and many more don’t even understand what it does. If you’re one of these folks who isn’t sure what to expect, here’s what you should know.

The Theory of Acupuncture
The idea behind acupuncture is that there are over 2,000 points on the human body that connect with 20 different pathways or meridians. The practitioner will talk to you about the general site of the planned treatment, and whether or not you need to remove any clothing. If so and if appropriate, he or she will provide you with a gown, towel, or sheet that you can use to preserve your modesty.

The Treatment
Once ready, the practitioner will place anywhere between one to 20 FDA-approved metallic acupuncture needles into your body. Some of which they may place so that they just break the surface to one or a few inches in. These acupuncture needles are often left in for anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes.

The Post-Treatment
There are some things you should be aware of following your acupuncture procedure. Some people may feel relaxed. Others may feel energized and rejuvenated. Everyone is different, but some may not respond to acupuncture. If your symptoms don’t begin to improve after a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you.

The ancient art of acupuncture has helped people for thousands upon thousands of years. By placing needles along the body’s pathways, practitioners are able to help people feel better, recover faster, and live healthier lives.

If you have any questions about acupuncture, feel free to share in the comments.